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2017 Toyota RAV4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2017 Toyota RAV4 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 258.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

162 reports with mileage · 145 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 108 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

33 crash reports24 fire reports22 injury reports

Engine complaints

31 reports
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60,000 miles · Jan 23, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion System

FROM A STOP OR SLOW MOVE, SOMETIMES WHEN I HAVE TO PULL AHEAD QUICKLY, AS TO GO BEFORE AN ONCOMING CAR, THE ENGINE WILL LOSE POWER AND NOT ACCELERATE AS INTENDED.

NHTSA ODI #11389554

21,950 miles · Oct 31, 2020
Engine

AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES IN COLD WEATHER, WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPS AT RED LIGHT/STOP SIGNS RPM DROPS TO 400-500 RESULTING IN NOTICEABLE SHAKING LIKE THE ENGINE IS ABOUT TO STALL. I'M AFRAID THE VEHICLE MY STALL IN THE FUTURE.

NHTSA ODI #11372485

66,500 miles · Aug 11, 2020
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED, WARNING MESSAGES BEGAN TO DISPLAY ON THE DASH SCREEN; BEFORE WHITE SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. MOMENTS LATER FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE ENGINE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED, WARNING MESSAGES BEGAN TO DISPLAY ON THE DASH SCREEN; BEFORE WHITE SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. MOMENTS LATER FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER LARRY MILLER TOYOTA (2465 48TH CT. BOULDER, CO 80301) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,500.

NHTSA ODI #11348663

24,500 miles · Jun 3, 2020
EngineUnknown Or OtherFire

I HAD OWN 2017 TOYOTA RAV4LE FOR LESS THAN 3 YEARS AND LESS THEN 25000 MILE, WE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS TO HAVE A SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE. WE HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEM AT ALL, OVERALL IT WAS GOOD DRIVING CAR. HOWEVER, ON 5/4/2020, I PARKED MY CAR AT PARKING LOT, TURNED OFF ENGINE. I HEARD GENTLE CLICK CLICK TWO SOUND, DO N…

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I HAD OWN 2017 TOYOTA RAV4LE FOR LESS THAN 3 YEARS AND LESS THEN 25000 MILE, WE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS TO HAVE A SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE. WE HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEM AT ALL, OVERALL IT WAS GOOD DRIVING CAR. HOWEVER, ON 5/4/2020, I PARKED MY CAR AT PARKING LOT, TURNED OFF ENGINE. I HEARD GENTLE CLICK CLICK TWO SOUND, DO NOT REALIZED IT WAS FROM MY CAR (OTHER PEOPLE WAS UNLOAD STUFF). I OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR GET READY TO OFF MY CAR AND GO. I SMELLED RUBBER BURNING. I LOOK AROUND AND SEE MY ENGINE HAD LIGHT SMOKE CAME OUT FROM ENGINE, THEN BECAME DARKER SMOKE, AND FOLLOW BY FIRE. I CALLED 911, THEY SEND A FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PUT OFF THE FIRE FOR ME. MY TOYOTA RAV4 LE WAS ALL BURNED BY UNKNOWN REASON. I DO NOT SMOKE, I PAID OFF MY CAR AND I HAVE NO FINANCIAL GAIN TO HAVE CAR BURN. I JUST WANT TO WARNING OTHER OWNER, IT COULD HAPPENED TO YOU, I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO WORK OUT FROM MY BURNING VEHICLE. MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT TOYOTA DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ABLE TO HONOR SUCH WARRANTY, ASKED ME CALL HEADQUARTER, I TRIED TO EMAIL BUT AFTER I UPLOAD PICTURES AND IT WAS SUDDENLY INTERCEPTED IN THE CLOUD-DISAPPEAR. I AM REPORT THIS INCIDENT TO WARNING OTHERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327143

Mileage unknown · May 21, 2020
EngineService BrakesSteering

WATER PUMP LEAK I BELIEVE STARTED AROUND 21,000 MILES.ALONG WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF FRONT BRAKE PADS I COMPLAINED OF RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF CAR WITH SQUEALING NOISE POSSIBLE DRIVE BELT OR DIRTY ROTOR. AT ONE POINT BOTH FRONT ROTORS SLIGHTLY WARM TO TOUCH AFTER 45 MIN CITY DRIVE HOME, ANOTHER TIME RIGHT ROTOR HOT AND LEFT SLIGHTLY …

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WATER PUMP LEAK I BELIEVE STARTED AROUND 21,000 MILES.ALONG WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF FRONT BRAKE PADS I COMPLAINED OF RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF CAR WITH SQUEALING NOISE POSSIBLE DRIVE BELT OR DIRTY ROTOR. AT ONE POINT BOTH FRONT ROTORS SLIGHTLY WARM TO TOUCH AFTER 45 MIN CITY DRIVE HOME, ANOTHER TIME RIGHT ROTOR HOT AND LEFT SLIGHTLY WARM. THEY REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS NOT CHECKING CALIPERS OR HOSE AND JUST PUT ON BRAKE PADS AND SAID RIGHT TIRE WORN AND REPLACED BOTH AND SAID IT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AFTER A FEW DAYS TOYOTA REP AND TOLD HIM THE SAID INTERMITTENT SQUEALING SOMEWHAT GRIND NOISE WAS BACK. NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY I REPORTED TO CORPORATE AND WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER TO DO DIAGNOSTIC CHECKING CALIPERS AND FOUND NOTHING. AROUND 50,000 MILES I FOUND POWDER NEXT TO DRIVE BELT. THEY DISCOVERED IT WAS A LEAKING WATER PUMP AND REPLACED MY PUMP AND DRIVE BELT. 41/2 MONTHS LATER THE CAR HAD SAME SQUEALING NOW RUBBER SOUND ADDED, STEERING STIFFER AND HISSING SOUND CAME FROM FRONT OF ENGINE AT LIGHT. TOOK IN AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG IN ENTIRE DAY 8 HRS. I DROVE AWAY AND BY THIRD LIGHT SQUEALING FOR 25 MINS AND NEIGHBORS HEARD ME COMING,ONE COUPLE REPORTED LOUD AT FRONT RIGHT TIRE. I REPORTED THAT IMMEDIATELY TO [XXX] AT PRECISION THAT MY CAR WAS WORSE AND TURNING STEERING WHEEL RIGHT AND LEFT IS NOW HAPPENING AS NEIGHBOR REPORTED BUT NO RETURN CALL. THIS CAR SOUND TYPICALLY HAPPENS AT BRAKING AT LIGHT AND HITTING GAS AT LIGHT ON CITY STREETS DRIVE AT 40-50 MILES PER HR.BUT USUALLY AT LIGHTS CAN HEAR. CALLED [XXX] AFTER LEFT SHOP CAR RIGHT AND LEFT TURNS SQUEAK WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL ONLY ONE DAY DID I HEAR TWO DIFFERENT SOUNDS WHIRRING NOISE AND HISSING SOUND 3 DAYS APART AT LIGHT STOPPED 3 WEEKS MY CAR, JUMPED FORWARD AT A STOP I'VE HAD IT ALIGNED NEW TIRES & STILL INTERMITTENT NOISE NOW WORSE DEC 2019 CHANGED WATER PUMP AND DRIVE BELT /SPRAYED ENGINE DOWN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325390

16,000 miles · Mar 11, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineFire

WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020, I SMELLED SMOKE. I LOOKED AT THE TEMPERATURE ON THE DASHBOARD AND IT SHOWED THAT THE TEMPERATURE WAS A LITTLE BELOW THE MIDDLE LINE INDICATING THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HOT. I CONTINUED DRIVING FOR A COUPLE MORE BLOCKS AND CONTINUED TO SMELL SMOKE SO ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER…

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WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020, I SMELLED SMOKE. I LOOKED AT THE TEMPERATURE ON THE DASHBOARD AND IT SHOWED THAT THE TEMPERATURE WAS A LITTLE BELOW THE MIDDLE LINE INDICATING THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HOT. I CONTINUED DRIVING FOR A COUPLE MORE BLOCKS AND CONTINUED TO SMELL SMOKE SO ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER INTO A PARKING LOT. WHEN I TRIED TO PULL OVER, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ON ITS OWN SO I WAS HALF WAY BETWEEN THE STREET AND PARKING LOT. I SAW SMOKE COME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. ABOUT TWO MINUTES LATER, FLAMES STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #11317639

17,500 miles · Sep 30, 2019
EngineService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT BRAKE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING 30 OR 50 MPH, THE RPMS ABRUPTLY INCREASED WITHOU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT BRAKE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING 30 OR 50 MPH, THE RPMS ABRUPTLY INCREASED WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HUDSON TOYOTA (599 NJ-440, JERSEY CITY, NJ 07305, 201-713-5508) AND PAID TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE REAR BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ROUTE 22 TOYOTA (109 US-22, HILLSIDE, NJ 07205, 973-287-4741) WHERE THEY DID NOT HONOR HIS EXTENDED WARRANTY AND ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE $250 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,500.*BF CONTACT STATED ENGINE CONTROL WAS REPLACED AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS REPAIRED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11259053

27,220 miles · Aug 20, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND CHARGING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF HOLLYWOOD (6000 HOLLYWOOD BLVD, HOLLYWOOD CA, 323-498-2260) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND CHARGING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF HOLLYWOOD (6000 HOLLYWOOD BLVD, HOLLYWOOD CA, 323-498-2260) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,220.

NHTSA ODI #11245340

31,673 miles · Sep 6, 2018
EngineService Brakes

ABOUT 1 YEAR AFTER I PURCHASED MY CAR BRAND NEW OFF OF THE LOT I STARTED TO NOTICE MY BRAKES STARTING TO RUB AND SQUEAK. IF I WAS GOING DOWN HILL THE FRONT OF MY CAR WOULD SHAKE. IT WAS TERRIFYING. I TOOK IT TO THE MAITA TOYOTA DELARSHIP IN SACRAMENTO. THEY TOLD ME NOTHING IS WRONG MY PADS ARE STILL GOOD. I BEGGED THEM TO FIX TH…

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ABOUT 1 YEAR AFTER I PURCHASED MY CAR BRAND NEW OFF OF THE LOT I STARTED TO NOTICE MY BRAKES STARTING TO RUB AND SQUEAK. IF I WAS GOING DOWN HILL THE FRONT OF MY CAR WOULD SHAKE. IT WAS TERRIFYING. I TOOK IT TO THE MAITA TOYOTA DELARSHIP IN SACRAMENTO. THEY TOLD ME NOTHING IS WRONG MY PADS ARE STILL GOOD. I BEGGED THEM TO FIX THEM THEY REPLACED MY FRONT ROTORS AND BREAK PADS. THIS DEALERSHIP ALSO PERFORMED A ENGINE CLEANING AND MULTIPLE OTHER THINGS THEY SAID MY CAR NEEDED AT THAT TIME RUNNING ME 795$ THIS BEING ON JULY 11TH 2018. THEN TODAY SEPT 6TH 2018. MY STARTER IS OUT MY CAR NO LONGER STARTS. WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY ALL OF THE INSIDE LIGHTS COME ON AND ALL YOU HEAR IS A CLICKING SOUND. MIND YOU I ALSO HAD A CHIP IN MY WINDSHIELD WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR INSPECTION IN JULY AND THEY PLACED GREEN CHECK MARK'S ON EVERYTHING INCLUDING MY WINDSHIELD BEING FREE FROM CHIPS. I NOW QUESTION THE INTEGRITY OF THIS DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPARTMENT. DO THEY TRULY INSPECT AND DO THE WORK ON YOUR CAR? BECAUSE FROM WHERE I AM SEEING THIS AT SITTING HERE WITH A YEAR OLD CAR IN MY PARKING LOT CURRENTLY NOT DRIVEABLE I BEGIN TO WONDER IF THEY DO. I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS WITH A 2017 TOYOTA CAR THAT WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW.

NHTSA ODI #11124761

3,000 miles · Dec 20, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, TOXIC FUMES EMITTED FROM THE HEATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. KOONS ARLINGTON TOYOTA IN ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE PRESENCE OF THE FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, TOXIC FUMES EMITTED FROM THE HEATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. KOONS ARLINGTON TOYOTA IN ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE PRESENCE OF THE FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11055761

Official recalls

3

23V734000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery

Nov 1, 2023

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles. Certain replacement 12-volt batteries may not fit properly in the battery tray, allowing the battery to move and contact the hold-down bracket, possibly causing a short circuit.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the battery clamp sub-assembly, battery tray, and positive terminal cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 27, 2024, to 2013-2014 RAV4 owners. Additional owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, phase 2 will begin on May 14, 2025, and phase 3 in late July 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 23TB13 and 23TA13.

19V503000 · Equipment:other:labels

Jun 28, 2019

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is SET19A.

17V295000 · Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire

May 2, 2017

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Toyota's number for this recall is 17R2.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE21005 · Battery Hold Down Bracket Thermal Events

Opened Feb 25, 2021 · Closed Aug 12, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to understand the contributing factors and frequency of vehicle fires originating from the battery region of the engine compartment in Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 Toyota RAV4 vehicles on 25 February 2021. At the time of opening, ODI attributed eleven allegations and additional EWR events to this PE. PE21005 focused on replacement batteries installed in the subject vehicles. No reported fire event identified in PE21005 involved the originally supplied 12V battery. The reported fires took place in vehicles known to contain aftermarket batteries or whose age exceeded the expected life of the original equipment battery. ODI identified battery dimensioning as it relates to the battery retention system (hold down bracket, radiator support bolt, J-hook, and battery tray) as the main factor set in the contact between the battery hold down bracket contacting the positive terminal of the 12V battery. The subject vehicles carried over the same battery tray and retention system from the prior generation (MY2006 – MY2012) of RAV4 vehicles. However, the subject vehicles were equipped with a dimensionally smaller battery (Group 35) than the prior generation (Group 24F). The smaller- length measurement in the Group 35 battery size in a battery tray originally designed to fit a Group 24F battery contributed to increased potential for battery movement which was exacerbated by the diversity in aftermarket battery configuration and irregularities intrinsic to battery replacement procedures. Battery movement coupled with the proximity of the B+ terminal on the battery and the grounded electrically conductive hold down bracket set the stage for a short to ground leading to an engine stall (if in operation) followed by a vehicle fire. This investigation was not able to classify the installation status, battery size, or cause of every allegation due to the fire event causing damage to the area, inaccessible vehicle, modification to the battery retention system after the event, and/or inconclusive photographic evidence. Toyota's investigation of the issue identified aftermarket battery catalogs that listed an improper battery replacement size (Group 26R) that would nevertheless fit into the subject vehicles whose battery retention system is incapable of reliably restraining a Group 26R battery. On 18 November 2021, Toyota initiated a consumer advisory campaign (21TG01) to the subject vehicle owners, notifying them of the correct size battery and offering a free inspection of the battery and retention hardware, a caution label to affix to the hold down bracket, and a discounted replacement 12V battery. This investigation with Toyota established three broad categories to characterize the battery retention system state of a given vehicle: "correct", "minor mis-installation", and "major mis-installation". - The "correct" terminology references the front bolt, bracket, and J-hook installed in a position not in contact with the positive battery terminal and the front bolt torqued to 17 Nm and the J-hook engaged with the tray hole and torqued to 4.9 Nm. - A "minor mis-installation" would describe the three retention components installed in the prescribed location, however not to the correct torque values. - The "major mis-installation" condition would constitute a retention component missing or disconnected from the system. Toyota's own testing used five exemplar batteries installed on a subject vehicle in each battery categorization resulted in: - Contact between the B+ terminal and hold down bracket in "major mis-installations" - Movement of the battery in "minor mis-installations" - No observable motion in "correct" installations. ODI conducted its own evaluation of the Toyota- specified replacement battery and 5 aftermarket Group 35 batteries. The six batteries tested conformed to the Group 35 Battery Council International (BCI) standard on overall dimensional tolerance and terminal location. That standard does not define the edge shape or material of battery casing. Physical interaction between the hold down bracket and the battery case and the friction between the casing material and the battery tray resulted in a large variability in movement forces required to incite movement when the battery was installed in the "correct" condition. Resulting in movement at an induced lateral load between 0.6 G and 1.91 G equivalent force across each battery. This force is higher than a typical vehicle could exert in a steady state turn and would only experience loads through brief shock or impulses. Multiple shock or impulse loads across time would contribute to a delay between the replacement battery installation and the fire event. Likelihood of a fire event increases as the installation method degraded from the "correct", to "minor mis-installation", and then to "major mis-installation". Protruding vent caps atop some of the batteries tested aided in restricting battery movement relative to the hold down. An absence of vent caps permitted additional movement. Following several discussions and vehicle inspections with ODI during this investigation, on 01 November 2023, Toyota filed a safety recall (NHTSA 23V-734) of 1,853,568 MY 2013 through MY 2018 Toyota RAV4 vehicles to reduce the risk of a vehicle fire with redesigned battery retention components. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

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